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Michael Bloomberg is not only New York City’s 108th mayor; he is a business genius and self-made billionaire. He has run the toughest city in America with an independence and show of ego that first brought him great successand eventually threatened it. Yet while Bloomberg is internationally known and admired, few people know the man behind the carefully crafted public persona.

In Mike Bloomberg, Joyce Purnick explores Mr. Bloomberg’s life from his childhood in the suburbs of Boston, to his rise on Wall Street and the creation of Bloomberg L.P., to his mayoral record and controversial gamble on a third term. Drawing on her deep knowledge of New York City politics, and interviews with Bloomberg’s friends, family, colleagues, and the mayor himself, she creates a textured portrait of one of the more complex men of our era.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Kirkus “Of interest to students of Gotham politics….The author’s careful account of [Bloomberg’s term limit] victory – a worthy case study for anyone seeking ways to game a system designed to protect voters from anti-democratic dynasties – is worth the price of the book.”

Financial Times “If all goes as expected, in November Mike Bloomberg will be elected mayor of New York City for the third time. The richest man in the city he governs, with an estimated wealth of $20bn, is again using this money to fund a lavish campaign. If he wins, he will have spent at least $250m for the privilege of holding one of the most aggravating and intoxicating jobs in US politics. But running for a third term carries an even higher price, according to Purnick’s biography. To do it, Bloomberg worked to overturn the city’s two-term limit, despite previously supporting it. “He’s a different guy than he was a year ago,” Purnick quotes a friend. “He breached his own code of ethics.” Purnick, a New York Times reporter, is mostly admiring. “Ed Koch cracked the eggs, [Rudy] Giuliani assembled the ingredients, and then Bloomberg made the omelette,” she writes of his role in New York’s resurgence.”

New York Times Book Review “Purnick’s reporting…is detailed and delightful.”

MINT.com “The New York Times reporter Joyce Purnick’s fluid writing makes this portrait flow seamlessly. GetAbstract recommends her breezy, deft presentation of Bloomberg’s uplifting story to executives, political strategists and aspiring leaders.”

Review

Kirkus “Of interest to students of Gotham politics….The author’s careful account of [Bloomberg’s term limit] victory – a worthy case study for anyone seeking ways to game a system designed to protect voters from anti-democratic dynasties – is worth the price of the book.”

Financial Times “If all goes as expected, in November Mike Bloomberg will be elected mayor of New York City for the third time. The richest man in the city he governs, with an estimated wealth of $20bn, is again using this money to fund a lavish campaign. If he wins, he will have spent at least $250m for the privilege of holding one of the most aggravating and intoxicating jobs in US politics. But running for a third term carries an even higher price, according to Purnick’s biography. To do it, Bloomberg worked to overturn the city’s two-term limit, despite previously supporting it. “He’s a different guy than he was a year ago,” Purnick quotes a friend. “He breached his own code of ethics.” Purnick, a New York Times reporter, is mostly admiring. “Ed Koch cracked the eggs, [Rudy] Giuliani assembled the ingredients, and then Bloomberg made the omelette,” she writes of his role in New York’s resurgence.”

New York Times Book Review “Purnick’s reporting…is detailed and delightful.”

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

Next to The President of the United States, the Mayor of New York is, perhaps the most well known politician in the western world and even maybe beyond. Michael Bloomberg is not an outwardly egotistical, vain, free-flowing, rabble rousing orator, normally associated with being a successful politician but essentially a thorough and determined highly successful businessman, who has clearly applied lessons learned in business to his approach in running New York City. But above all his mantra seems to be that if at first you do not succeed, look for a different route.

Veteran New York newspaper reporter Joyce Purnick's biography of 'Michael Bloomberg: Money, Power, Politics' lays out how this rather quiet, thoughtful individual carefully manoeuvred his 'money' into creating the 'power' base from which to launch and further his ambitions in 'politics'. She also looks at the not often displayed flamboyant side of his personality that is not so well known. In the years following his divorce he embarked on 'social reinvention' during which time he was seen on numerous occasions with beautiful and famous ladies on his arm, the likes of Barbara Walters, Liv Ullman, Marisa Berenson and Diana Ross.

Bloomberg whilst all along professing little inclination of the love and lure of politics and the hand-in-hand power base, did go out of character when he used all of his adroitness and connections to squeeze a change in the City Electoral Laws to allow him a highly controversial third term in office.

This is an easy to read, well balanced, and fascinating insight into this man of enormous influence that spans the worlds of business, politics and philanthropy from which Michael Bloomberg emerges as a decent bloke - for a billionaire and politician that is!

This is an even handed, well-researched biography of New York City's one hundred and eighth mayor, Mike Bloomberg. This small town boy from Medford, Massachusetts would grow up to take the financial and business world by storm in one of the most competitive cities in the world and rise above the fray, creating a business empire that would set the standard. Having conquered the business world, this self-made billionaire would come out of political nowhere with many dollars and a dream and enter the rollicking world on New York City politics, determined to become its mayor.

Setting his sights on the highest political office in the city, this physically unprepossessing, highly intelligent man, who is short on charm, managed to pull off one of the biggest upsets in New York's political history. Luck and his own personal fortune would make his dream of becoming mayor a reality. Mike Bloomberg became mayor in the wake of 9/11, determined to make changes that would put the city back on track, applying managerial know how rather than political acumen to the task. For the most part he delivered, winning the respect of the citizens of New York City, if not their affection.

The author clearly knows and understands the world of New York politics and expertly lays it out for the reader. Against this tumultuous backdrop, the author paints a three dimensional portrait of Mayor Mike that is simultaneously both flattering and unflattering. She also tackles his unpopular but successful attack of New York's two term limit law, a success that would allow him to run for mayor a third time. The only question is whether Mayor Mike's power grab will be successful this time around.

Written in clear spare prose with no holds barred, this book is sure to be savored by those who enjoy biographies and politics. New Yorkers especially will enjoy this book for the very personal look at their mayor, warts and all.

This book excellently presents a biography of Michael Bloomberg, the wealthiest person in New York, who was elected Mayor by spending tens of millions of his own money to fund his campaign. As Jimmy Breslin declared, Bloomberg was buying the Mayor's seat "like it's a cup of coffee".

Bloomberg was not known for giving stirring speeches or making convincing arguments when questioned. He did not appear to have empathy for others as he maintained his businesslike aura. The author describes Bloomberg as "the city's first, and no doubt last, plutocrat."

Bloomberg understood finances and he helped steer New York during the national economic crisis. He had the advantage of not owing any interests for his election or for reelection. He could act without needing help from contractors, unions, or other economic lobbies.

Bloomerg used the money to start his own financial information company using computer terminals. It grew to a company with 2,300 journalists and editors in 140 bureaus, a 24 hour research phone line, and with 280,000 subscribes paying $1,590 a month. This phone line system would inspire Mayor Bloomberg to create 311, a number New Yorkers can call at any time to obtain government information.

Once on the public eye, criticism arose of Bloomberg's past behavior. News he faced sexual harassments charges became known. An old quote of his reemerged, where he stated "I like the theatre, dining, and chasing women. Met me put it this way: I am a single, straight billionaire in Manhattan. It's like a wet dream."

Bloomberg increased by double his charitable contributions before running for Mayor, giving $100.5 million to 200 additional organizations, 79 of which are in New York City.Read more ›